est. 1949
FELIX
Wednesday 5th March. 1997 issue 1082E
http://www.su.ic.ac.uk/Felix
Student Newspaper of Imperial College
President: New Election
DP(F&S): Robert Clark
DP(C&S): Smita chaturvedi
Felix Editor: Jeremy Thomson
New Election storms President Baker beaten by landslide: Full results page two EDWARD SHIRMAN The carnival atmosphere of those awaiting the results from this year's Imperial College Union Sabbatical Election results, which were finally declared at 12.30 this morning, masked the circus of allegations and counter allegations which pervaded the high pressure campaign. Sam Baker, the only candidate for I C U President lodged an official objection detailing her grievances with how the elections were run. This occurred prior to the announcement that over 1,000 Imperial College students had voted to reopen nominations for President, the highest recorded in living memory. The only real candidate received just 144 votes, but was unavailable for comment as Felix went to press, insisting on her right to privacy. The total turnout for the elections was 17% of elegible voters, almost double last year's figure. In the most hotly contested race, that for Deputy President (Finance & Services), Rob Clark overcame a significant deficit on the South Kensington campus to win with almost 300 St Mary's votes. The Deputy President (Clubs & Societies) was similarly decided when Smita Chaturvedi won despite a deficit of over 100 votes south of Hyde Park. Jeremy Thomson was elected as Felix Editor (and Print Unit Manager) with the help of St Mary's votes, despite suffering at the hands of the well organised New Election campaign. Suggestions that the medics might have voted against him due to the unpopularity of the current editor, proved to be unfounded as they came out overwhelmingly in favour of the diminutive East Anslian.
P H O T O : LILI T C H E A N G
Yesterday's winners. From left to right Rob Clark (DP F&S); Jeremy Thomson (Felix Editor); Smita Chaturvedi (DP C&S); Re-Open Nominations aka New Election (President). Speaking prior to the results being member of the Elections Committee, over the front page of last Friday's announced, the former Presidential spoke to Felix about the appeal from Felix and suggestions that it encourcandidate Omar Kheir suggested that Sam Baker saying that it was "under aged students to vote new election. he was "unlikely" to stand again but consideration" and that it was "to do A particular point of contention implied that he might nominate more with long term things." He arose over an advert, supporting New another candidate. He denied that his went on to say that "the points that it Election, that appeared beside a Felix withdrawal was due to reasons other made will probably come up in feature explaining how to vote in the than his PhD, but commented that it Council next week" and that "Sam Sabbatical Elections. Sabbatical canwas a "difficult decision to make". made it quite clear that she had no didates have questioned whether it objection to how the results went this Sarah White, current University of was paid for by the New Election year." London Union President and former campaign and whether it was ICU President, expressed disgust at the way in which the Presidential election result was greeted with such jubilation by the assembled throng. Her sympathy for the defeated candidate led her to request a more courteous approach from those present. The two candidates for DP(C&S) proved to be the most conciliatory of all, with Sarah Thomas insisting that her opposing candidate would prove successful. Smita was almost speechless after her victory, saying "I'm very happy" and that she was "going straight to bed now, I'm very tired." Chris Ince, S C C Chair and senior
Questions were also raised when Felix was excluded from the meeting which examined the complaints, but ICU President Eric Allsop insisted that there was "precedence" for this exclusion. He continued saying that this was "the most appropriate way forward" and that Felix's presence would have been "deeply inappropriate."
approved by the Elections Committee. The New Election campaign itself has come under scrutiny with allegations that its budget was never approved by ICU Council, the practice of previous elections (Felix 1018). This year there has been no official statement as to how much money the New Election campaign Objections to the way the elections has spent with Sarah Thomas, ICU were run centre on the New Election Council Chair and sabbatical candicampaign, which gained momentum date for DP(C&S), denying that any after the South Kensington and St motion authorising the expenditure Mary's hustings. Many of the candiof Union money has been approved dates repeated Sam Baker's objection continued on page two
Spoilt / N o pref Totals
55
63
802
1
2
1
2
1
0
0
4
0
2
12
0
13 144 1 281 1085 0 0 12
156
96
223
104
76
83
65
65
70
938
4
5
4
294
Quota
470
1241 615
Deputy President
Smita Chaturvedi
43
27
62
31
19
18
25
14
14
253 0
2
285
540
573
(Clubs & Societies)
Sarah Thomas
73
35
73
48
32
37
23
23
27
371
3
3
380
447
N e w Election Spoilt / N o pref
37
33
85
24
25
24
28
294
1 0
6
301
1
3
0
0
26 2
12
4
4
0
1
15
0
0
0
15
216
Totals Quota
157
96
223
103
76
83
64
61
70
933
4
5
294
1236 611
1236 511 524
553 431
Deputy President (Finance & Services)
3
Rob Clark John Savery
33
14
58
12
12
17
10
5
10
171
1 2
47
19
41
17
13
18
12
6
15
188
2
287
461
0
1
191
62
Duncan T i n d a l l
40
28
63
42
28
32
26
52
16
327
0
3
0
330
376
N e w Election
26
33
57
29
23
14
12
3
26
223
0
0
8
231
278
Spoilt / N o pref
10
2
3
3
0
2
4
0
3
27
0
0
0
27
62
256
156
96
222
103
76
83
64
66
70
936
3
5
296
1240
1240
1240
607
590
493
Jeremy Thomson
118
43
135
68
41
55
46 37
38
581
1 4 279
865
N e w Election
35
50
85
34
34
27
17
30
338
1
354
Spoilt / N o pref
3
3
3
1
0
1
1
0
2
14
0
0
0
14
156
96
223
8 3 : 64
63
70
933
2
5
293
1233
Totals Quota Felix Editor
Totals
Winning Margin
3
Totals
124
49
Third Round
5
73
Totals
10
64
Totals
12
90
St Mary's
10
186
NHLI
12
84
Totals Silwood
13
138
s
South Ken
35
lElec Eng
11
pvlech Eng
16
X
Second Round
First Round
Ichem/Biochem
Chem Eng
New Election
Civ Eng
Sam Baker
u
RSM
President
ICU
The Results
103. 75
26
1
Quota
14
60
256
610
HCiURKS C O U R T K S Y OF RETURNING OFFICER
continued from front page by Council. Commenting to Felix, Mr Allsop suggested that Elections Committee did approve a ÂŁ 7 5 limit on expenditure. Controversy has also surrounded the collection of votes themselves, with St Mary's students expressing horror that they were only provided with a ballot box on one day. The hundreds of medics, who traditionally have constituted around one third of all voters, shared a ballot box with Si (wood Park which last year supplied two votes. M r Allsop insisted that the Elections Committee decided on the precise placement of ballot boxes and that this was influenced by what was regarded as the "normal places", though he accepted that "in retrospect that was probably a very bad decision." The siting of a ballot box in the Chemical Engineering foyer, also serving Aeronautics, was only made after the intervention of a Chem Eng candidate, despite the fact that two years ago over a hundred votes were cast there. In the absence of the returning officer, the ICU President Eric Allsop, Chris Ince decided to redress this situation by moving a ballot box from Blacken. The lack of candidates' manifestoes adjacent to the ballot boxes
has also raised questions as to the competency of the Returning Officer, with Mr Allsop insisting that he was not aware of this convention. Asked whether he would accept that there were "serious flaws in the way the elections were carried out", the Imperial College Union President said " N o , no I wouldn't." While the President denied that he had made "specific comment as to who people should vote for", he did accept that he had been asked to suggest the likely outcome "to people I considered friendly." He went on to assert that it was "unlikely" that any action would be taken against Felix, or its editor Alex Feakes, for its alleged bias towards New Election but that the student newspaper "sailed phenomenally close to the wind this year." With questions existing over the constitutional technicalities over the rerunning of the Presidential election, at least three heavy weight candidates have expressed their interest in seeking nominations. As reported in Felix 1081, both Mo Dulloo and Robin Riley's names are being circulated, together with a considerable number of other possibles. Papers for the next Presidential election will be up by Easter. Any full member of the Union may stand.
Student Newspaper of Imperial College Editor Alex Feakes / Advertising Manager Mark Baker With a bit more fizz than usual, the 1997 sabbatical race has come to a conclusion of sorts. Congratulations to the winners and commiserations to the losers. You have all done well. This year has seen a much greater turnout for the elections than in the last few occasions. However, despite the better turnout from voters in South Kensington, the influence of the medical students from St Mary's was again a decisive factor. Mr Clark and Ms Chaturvedi both have the cohesive voting strategy of the medics to thank for their eventual victories.
The surprisingly large majority in favour of a new election for the post of President, an unprecedented lack of confidence in the candidates, is largely thanks to the pro-active campaigning by the New Election team. This level of support for a new election is unusual and stems from the lacklustre hustings performance of many of the candidates. Next year's candidates beware! A l l that remains for me to do on for this election special Felix is to wish the successful sabbaticals elect the best of luck for the coming year.
Produced for and on behalf of Imperial College Union Publications Board. Printed by Imperial College Union Print Unil, Beit Quad, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BB. Telephone: 0171 594 8071 Copyright Felixl997. Telephone/fax: 0171 594 8072. ISSN 1040-0711 NF.WS: A N D R E W ; GRAPHICS A N D L A Y O U T : D A V I D & M A R K ; W E B EDITOR: L E O N ; PHOTOGRAPHY: I V A N & L I L Y ; O N H A N D WITH T H E PHOTOCOPIER: D A V I D A N D A N D Y